LoVe: The Childhood of L and V

Chapter 10

L received the letter in Japan, about a week later. He read and reread the letter

so many times that almost ripped it. Is it really true? If it was, he was so happy.

He clutched the letter to his chest and sighed for the hundredth time this trip.

Finally, his feelings were being recognized by her. He recalled her outlined form

from in front of the window and smiled. He would surprise when he got back. He

picked up a catalog and strolled out into the fresh air. He ran onto the street,

with Watari's guards nearby and caught the Shinkansen.

"Sumimasen!" he called to the person next to him in perfect Japanese, "Ikundesuka?"*1

"Tokyo." he stated simply.

"Arigatogozaimashte."*2 he replied politely.

...

He made it to his scheduled appointment barely on time.

"Moshiwake arimasenga, watashi wa jutai ni makikoma reta."*3 he said to his

interviewer.

"Wakarimashte."*4

"Shinakereba naranai wareware ga sa rete?"*5 he asked L.

"Mochiron."*6 he gratefully accepted.

...

The interview took forever to get through. By the time it was finished, L was

exhausted and had to sprint to catch the last Shinkansen to his hotel in Kyoto. He

slept the whole way and had to be poked and prodded by one of Watari's guards to be

even half-awake. He stumbled inside the hotel he was staying at. He scrambled

heavily up the stairs. I am out of shape, he thought. Finally, when he finished

struggling with the key, he plopped onto the bed and fell immediately into a deep

sleep.

The next few weeks, he lost many nights of sleep by visiting different locations

all over Japan. Every possible location indicated a possible job. He eventually

chose the Yotsuba Group. They said to him that as soon as he was old enough, about

20 or so, that he could start officially working for them. He looked forward to the

internship that he would receive when he was 18.

He walked back home in light spirits, for the Yotsuba Group then was stationed in

Kyoto. He then caught the next flight home, to England.

...

The dark limo rumbled up the front of the orphanage and waiting there was Sage, a

smile on her face. He stepped out and ran to her. They embraced each other warmly.

"I missed you." she whispered.

"Watashi wa anata ni mo o nogashita."*7 he replied, still in Japanese.

Sage knew what he was saying, for she helped him practice Japanese for an entire

year. She hadn't known why up until a few months ago. She took his face in her

hands and placed her lips upon his.He brought her body close to hers and held her,

not caring if anyone was staring.

"Watashi wa nagai ma, kore o omotte iru."*8 he whispered to her.

"Hai." she teared up,"watashi mo!"*9

*1: Excuse Me! Where are we going? 

*2: Thank You very Much. 

*3: Sorry, I was stuck in traffic. 

*4: I understand. 

*5: Shall we begin? 

*6: Of course. 

*7: I missed you too. 

*8: I have wanted this for so long. 

*9: Yes, me too."